LeBron James is no longer the best player in the NBA, but he still makes his team better almost every time he is on the floor. Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love can't say that.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - It just so happened that at the same time as LeBron James lost enough of his spring and explosiveness to stop being the best player in the NBA, the game became more dependent on long-distance shooting. That was never his strength.

In this, our third look at the Cavs' "Big Three" of James, Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving, the first thing to say is that James is still an outstanding player. It is hard to see any drop-off in a given game. But over a span of games, especially if he has been low on rest, it is noticeable.

Evidence of decline at the rim ...

You see it in the shots he has blocked at the rim now and in the misses on drives, after which he complains theatrically about fouls. All his career, James has faced a double standard on foul calls because of how big and strong he is. In James' 13^th NBA season with a load of minutes played that is already in the top 45 all-time, have the hard fouls been cumulative in effect?

James might get more calls had he not cried wolf so often in the past that there might have been a boom in sales of brick pig houses.

... And on the arc

The decline is most glaring on the 3-point line, where James has always been streaky rather than consistent. He says the problem is not in mechanics or in fatigue, but the statistics say it must be somewhere. The guess here is in his legs.

Everyone knows the clock is ticking on this franchise. James' "tires" have a lot of miles on them.

From last season's playoffs through the game of Monday night on Leap Day, James is 87 for 328 on threes, or 26.5 percent. He is still dominant enough in the paint to make over half his shots (50.5 percent) overall.

The MVP contenders

James finished third in the regular season Most Valuable Player voting last season. This year, Curry should repeat. Of the rest of the top five last season, Russell Westbrook, James and New Orleans' Anthony Davis should be in the mix again. Due to a high turnover rate and 43.4 percent shooting overall, even with 28.7-point average, James Harden should be replaced by Kevin Durant, who was injured for much of last season.

Curry wins. He has changed the way the game is played now with his shooting. He might change the way it is played in the future, too. Some already say the 3-point line should be moved back even further.

Max pay doesn't mean max play

James is still close to the top, but no longer at the top. He still makes his team better almost every time he steps on the floor. Neither Kyrie Irving nor Kevin Love can do that.

For an indication of his worth, the Washington Wizards routed the Cavs, 113-99, when coach Tyronn Lue gave James the day off on back-to-back games after he played the entire second half in the come-from-ahead loss in Toronto.

The Cavs' Big Three are all maximum-contract players. Tristan Thompson is a great offensive rebounder, which isn't enough of a contribution for a near-max player. He is not a great shot-blocker, which the Cavs need, given the vulnerabilities of Love and Irving on defense.

Wasted opportunities

Timofey Mozgov provided some of the missing shot blocking last season, but what he taketh away on snuffs, he giveth back on muffs. No telling how many assists James has lost because Mozgov doesn't catch the ball cleanly on the first try. In close to 100 games with the Cavs, he's probably left at least 50 points out there.

Not so Bad Boys

Detroit's "Bad Boys" Pistons of a quarter-century ago made sure every foul was a hard one. Detroit's defense was ferocious.  

Defense was a Cavs' strength last season, but it has become a weakness in Lue's faster-paced offense now.

As for physical play, the Cavs are not wired to give out fouls as did the Pistons, other than perhaps J.R. Smith.

It seems foolish to try to run with the Golden State Warriors. It is no more advisable than leaning into a hook in boxing.

Injury-ravaged, the Cavs, led by James, gave a good account of themselves in last year's NBA Finals by slowing the game down in David Blatt's ugly ball style, walking the ball up the floor, and depending on James for "finds" on passes off penetration and baskets in isolation sets.

Only one teammate remaining from James' first term is here in Mo Williams. Yet after four different coaches in his two terms, as well as four different general managers, two different owners, and the company of two reputed superstars,  it all too often depends on him.

Talk all things Cleveland sports with DMan.

Talk Cleveland sports with Dennis Manoloff during his weekly podcast today at 12:30Allison Carey/The Plain Dealer

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Get your questions ready and join the Plain Dealer's Dennis Manoloff today at 12:30 p.m. as he talks Cleveland sports.

DMan and I will talk about drama surrounding the Cavaliers. We'll also talk about the Browns and free agency and take a look at Indians spring training.

Jump in the comments to ask your questions and talk along with us.

Some suggestions for outdoorsmen to beat the winter blahs and get prepared for the upcoming season.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- It is easy to toss another log on the fire and kick back at this time of year. Good fishing days can be hard to find and the hunting seasons have ground to a halt.

Many sportsmen enjoy cruising social media, though it can be a frustrating madhouse in an election year. You can only admire so many smartphone photos of deer, walleye and steelhead trout. And no, I don't need a fresh batch of friends on Facebook or Twitter.

If you're looking for suggestions for the slow season, you've come to the right place.

* Volunteer. Check the Ohio Division of Wildlife at wildohio.gov and find out how to become a hunting, fishing or trapping instructor. Become a volunteer with the county park system. Visit Lake and Trails at lakeandtrails.org and sign up for a spring or fall weekend mentoring outdoors-minded kids.

* Join a fishing or hunting club. The winter season is a wonderful time to hang out with kindred spirits, learn new outdoor tricks and get a line on hunting grounds or fishing waters. You might learn to do something funky, such as tie flies, spey cast and create spinner rigs, or join new friends on the club archery range or clay target course.

* Get ready to plant milkweed. Monarch butterflies feed primarily on milkweed. It is disappearing in the face of the Roundup ready GMO crops now dominating the agricultural landscape. Free seeds are available from the Save The Monarch Foundation (saveourmonarchs.org), but do consider a donation.

Milkweed production in the U.S. has fallen 93 percent in the last decade. The magic plant also benefits honeybees, pheasant and quail.

* If you're sitting around and watching television, then multi-task. When is the last time you cleaned rifles, shotguns or pistols? Fishing tackle boxes always need off-season attention. Empty all of the pockets of hunting coats and fishing vests. Lost clippers, sunglasses and cold, hard cash often turn up.

* Slather your leather boots with preservative. A favorite leather preservative is Obenauf's Heavy Duty LP (obenaufs.com) made in Idaho. It contains propolis, a tree resin used by honeybees to weatherproof and disinfect their hives. It is best to apply the waxy, yellow preservative with warm, bare hands to help it melt into the leather. I have a pair of Russell Moccasin boots that look as good as the day they arrived from the Wisconsin factory five years ago.

* Teach an old dog new tricks. Noted trainer Bob West of Purina said years ago that sportsmen seldom tap more than a small slice of a hunting dog's potential. Time spent with a four-legged buddy to teach a pooch manners with people and other dogs, or even to roll over and play dead, is a bonus for both of you. Plenty of dog treats might be needed.

* Don't neglect the important "whoa," "come" and "heel" commands with your dog all year round. Throw the pooch a retrieving dummy a few times each day. If you don't have a dog whistle, buy one. No one enjoys hearing a handler yelling incessantly at a dog. Lower your voice when giving commands. The dog will still be able to hear you.

* You knew this was coming. Clean the surfaces of your fishing reels with a Q-tip and rubbing alcohol and sparingly apply a quality reel oil - not WD-40 - on the moving parts. Spool the reels with fresh fishing line. Use rubbing alcohol to clean fishing rods, making sure to swab the rod guides with a Q-tip.

* Create lures. Growing numbers of Lake Erie fishermen are huddling over beads, spinners and hooks this winter, putting together colorful spinner rigs. There are many online videos with suggestions for drift-and-cast spinner rigs or larger trolling rigs that are a mainstay for walleye. Local tackle shops have all of the ingredients.

It has also become fashionable to give old diving plugs, or crankbaits, a spiffy fish-attracting facelift. To buy the right types of paint or check out small air brush rigs, visit Jann's Netcraft (jannsnetcraft.com) in Maumee, Ohio.

(D'Arcy Egan, the long-time Plain Dealer outdoors writer who retired in 2015, will occasionally write columns to appear in The Plain Dealer and on cleveland.com. He can be reached at darcyegan@roadrunner.com)

Chris Haynes of cleveland.com joined "The Dan Patrick Show" on Thursday to address the issues and rumors swirling around the Cleveland Cavaliers this week even though they haven't played since Monday. See the full interview here.

CLEVELAND, Ohio. - The Cleveland Cavaliers haven't played a game since Monday, and yet they've been in the news all week for all the wrong reasons: Rumors of discontent have been swirling.

And to touch on them all, "The Dan Patrick Show" brought on Chris Haynes of cleveland.com.

Patrick asked about the team's chemistry, the lack of an enforcer, brand concerns, Kyrie Irving reportedly wanting out and more.

Here's the nearly nine-minute interview:

LeBron James was apparently responsible for Kendrick Lamar's surprise album release on Thursday.

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio - LeBron James' public service for the week: a surprise release of hip-hop artist Kendrick Lamar's latest album.

Lamar's newest album, available as of Thursday evening on iTunes, is called "Untitled, Unmastered" and none of the eight songs on it are named.

Following Lamar's night at the Grammys last month, where he won five times for his album To Pimp a Butterfly and delivered an edgy, on-stage performance, James tweeted at Lamar's producer for a release of "those untitled tracks."

And when it happened Thursday, Anthony Tiffith, chief executive of Lamar's label, Top Dawg Entertainment, told fans on social media to "make sure y'all thank @kingjames."

"That's what they said. They said to thank me. So, appreciate it. You're welcome," James said Friday, following the Cavs' shootaround in preparation to play the Wizards.

Yea KIng Kendrick returns 2nite.... Make site y'all thank @kingjames ... #TDE

A video posted by gwadpot (@dangerookipawaa) on Mar 3, 2016 at 7:49pm PST

James said he listened to the full album, and "it was great.

"It's great to have family like that and people that can even in different areas, not just in sports, that you can look to and hear for inspiration and things of that nature," James said.

The two are not actually related. It's not entirely clear how James knows Lamar well enough to: A.) Call him family; B.) Get him to release an album. But Lamar is also close with Chris Paul, who is one of James' three best friends in the NBA.

"Really close (friends)," James said, talking about himself and Lamar. "Admire each other's work and each other's craft and even with him being all the way on the West coast and me being here, we share a lot of qualities, being around the same age."

And then James listened to Lamar's album on the way home from shootaround, in the full-size, fully loaded cargo Mercedes van he and his team takes to work.

King Kendrick! Levitate levitate levitate levitate #EssenceOfItAll #StriveForGreatness #YoungKings

A video posted by LeBron James (@kingjames) on Mar 4, 2016 at 8:59am PST

The Cleveland Cavaliers will play the second of their current four-game homestand on Friday night when they host the Washington Wizards. Tipoff is at 8 p.m. and the game will be shown on Fox Sports Ohio and ESPN.

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio -- The Cleveland Cavaliers will play the second of their current four-game homestand on Friday night when they host the Washington Wizards. Tipoff is at 8 p.m. and the game will be shown on Fox Sports Ohio and ESPN. On radio, it will be simulcast on WTAM-AM 1100, 100.7 WMMS-FM and 87.7 FM (ESP).

The Cavaliers (42-17) are coming off a win against Indiana on Monday night, 100-96.

They had two days to rest during the week before getting back to practice on Thursday afternoon. Despite the time off, the Cavs will rest Kevin Love.

Washington (30-30) has won four straight games, including Sunday's 113-99 win against the shorthanded Cavaliers, who rested LeBron James. In the win, point guard John Wall scored 21 points and dished out 13 assists. 

Friday marks the fourth and final meeting of the season between the Cavs and Wizards. Washington has won two of the first three meetings. 

Catch the coverage from before the game; join in the live chat starting at tipoff; and stick around for full postgame coverage. For all Cavs information, be sure to check out cleveland.com/cavs. 

Here are Friday's Division III quarterfinal round and consolation round two results from the OHSAA state wrestling tournament.

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Here are Friday's Division III quarterfinal round and consolation round two results from the OHSAA state wrestling tournament.

How they stand (top 10): 1. Delta 65.0, 2. Mechanicsburg 45.5, 3. Day. Christian 43.0, 4. Oak Harbor 39.0, 5. Apple Creek Waynedale 35.0, 6. Rootstown 29.0, 7. Milan Edison 26.0, 8. Akron Manchester 25.0, 8. Genoa Area 25.0, 10. Mogadore 21.0.

Championship quarterfinals

106:

Cole Mattin, Delta dec. Klay Reeves, Johnstown Northridge 6-1

Jacob Edwards, Troy Christian dec. Zach Larue, Akron Manchester 6-3

Dylan D'Emilio, Genoa Area pin John Kumher, Burton Berkshire 3:00

Ronnie Pietro, Day. Christian dec. Jake Neer, Galion Northmor 3-1

113:

Graham Shore, Casstown Miami East dec. Christian Wellman, Apple Creek Waynedale 6-4

Greg Quinn, Shadyside pin Dakota Blanton, Greenwich S. Central 2:50

Tyler Wetzel, Mechanicsburg dec. Dalton Leightner, Rootstown 8-4

Tommy Hoskins, Day. Christian dec. Julian Sanchez, Genoa Area 7-1

120:

Seth Hayes, Rootstown dec. Alex Rhine, Mechanicsburg 9-4

Drew Mattin, Delta pin Michael Sergent, Troy Christian 1:26

Hunter Lucas, Lima Central Cath. maj. dec. Cameron Gessner, Sand. St. Mary C.C. 11-3

Isaac Elliott, Massillon Tuslaw dec. Ruger Goeltzenleuchter, Haviland Wayne Trac 6-2

126:

George Clemens, Haviland Wayne Trace dec. Logan Kissell, Garrettsville Garfield 9-2

Joey Bowen, Akron Manchester dec. Caleb Brooks, Col. Bishop Ready 2-0

John Smith, Ashland Mapleton tech. fall Richie Stalnaker, Newark Cath. 18-3

Damian D'Emilio, Genoa Area dec. Alex Isbrandt, Casstown Miami East 5-3

132:

Stan Bleich, Elyria Cath. dec. Dylan Mansor, Oak Harbor 8-5

Brady Barnett, Milan Edison maj. dec. Nick Miller, Mechanicsburg 10-2

Alex Gordy, Chil. Southeastern dec. Michael Yacapraro, Wooster Triway 6-4SV

Jake Spiess, Delta pin Brad Trescott, Rootstown 0:57

138:

Brendan Fitzgerald, Grandview Hts. pin Riley Smucker, Smithville 0:45

Tanner Smith, Mechanicsburg dec. Trevor Scherf, Oak Harbor 7-2

Dustin Marteney, Delta maj. dec. Henry Danishek, Day. Christian 8-0

Ryan Ford, Covington dec. Brandon Huffman, Rootstown 11-4

145:

Logan Lacure, Day. Christian pin Alex Neuberger, Milan Edison 3:49

Rhett Petersen, Oak Harbor dec. Spencer Seibert, Coldwater 6-4SV

Colt Yinger, Nelsonville-York tech. fall Josh Tompkins, Mogadore 17-2

Wade Smiddy, Mechanicsburg dec. Derek Gross, Norwalk St. Paul 6-3

152:

Garrett Hall, Doylestown Chippewa pin Jake Gutierrez, Spring. Cath. Central 6:15SV

Jesse Beverly, Delta pin Luke Buxton, New Lebanon Dixie 4:29

Jake Huston, Oak Harbor dec. Corey Bogan, Mechanicsburg 6-4

Nick Vestal, Day. Christian pin Hunter Flinner, Wooster Triway 1:30

160:

Kaleb Romero, Mechanicsburg tech. fall Antony Risley, Cadiz Harrison Central 19-4

Damion Vitt, Bascom Hopewell-Loudon maj. dec. Pat Jordan, Rootstown 10-2

Reid Stanley, Apple Creek Waynedale dec. Chase Fetter, Sand. St. Mary C.C. 6-2

Josh Doherty, W. Jefferson dec. Drake Barnett, Galion 10-5

170:

Cole Draper, Sycamore Mohawk dec. Luke Sorboro, Rootstown 3-0

Kyle Ice, Apple Creek Waynedale dec. Jacob Thompson, N. Lewisburg Triad 7-4

David Bell, Archbold dec. Matt McFarland, Belmont Union Local 12-7

Zach Steiner, Creston Norwayne maj. dec. Sam Stoll, Milan Edison 11-3

182:

Josh Bialosky, Beachwood dec. Hudson Jump, Grandview Hts. 9-3

Gaige Willis, And. Pymatuning Val. dec. Kian Thompson, Oak Harbor 1-0

Tristan Anderson, Apple Creek Waynedale dec. Madison Jaso, Gibsonburg 6-2

James Handwerk, Rocky River Lutheran W. maj. dec. Caleb Johnson, Bainbridge Pain 16-4

195:

Paul Skye, Mogadore pin Jack Staggs, Milan Edison 3:02

Dalton Hoover, Martins Ferry dec. John Kelbly, Smithville 3-1

Jordan Leasure, Amanda-Clearcreek maj. dec. Jake Burns, W. Jefferson 15-6

Will Bolanz, Atwater Waterloo pin Caide Bunfill, Barnesville 3:17

220:

Jerek Cropper, Akron Manchester dec. Devon Richard, Delta 3-2SV

Reece Human, Carlisle dec. Hunter Bodkin, Martins Ferry 3-0

Cameron Conaway, Greenwich S. Central dec. Collin Kelly, Mogadore 9-2

Ben Sullivan, New Paris National Trail dec. Milan Pozderac, Fredericktown 3-2

285:

Chance Rucker, Caldwell dec. Derek Smith, Defiance Tinora 10-4

Brandon Garber, Oak Harbor pin Andrew Bevan, London Madison Plains 4:49

Francesco Borsellino, Magnolia Sandy Valley pin Chance Veller, Delta 3:06

Brandon Bennett, Hamler Patrick Henry pin Jonah Ours, W. Salem Northwestern 3:21

Consolation Round Two

106:

Camron Neal, Camden Preble Shawnee dec. Jake Neer, Galion Northmor 8-1

Dylan Burns, Milan Edison dec. John Kumher, Burton Berkshire 8-3

Zach Larue, Akron Manchester pin Colton Bethel, W. Lafayette Ridgewood 4:21

Klay Reeves, Johnstown Northridge dec. Trevor Schaller, Swanton 3-1

113:

Julian Sanchez, Genoa Area dec. Tanner Krotzer, Rossford 5-0

Dalton Leightner, Rootstown dec. Alec Bailey, Akron Manchester 10-8

Evan Guilford, Defiance Ayersville maj. dec. Dakota Blanton, Greenwich S. Centra 9-0

Christian Wellman, Apple Creek Waynedale dec. Brendan Williamson, Kirtland 7-0

120:

Ruger Goeltzenleuchter, Haviland Wayne Trace dec. Matt Seifert, Utica 6-5

Cameron Gessner, Sand. St. Mary C.C. maj. dec. Griffin Jenkins, Galion Northmor 11-1

Michael Sergent, Troy Christian pin Gavin Stika, Creston Norwayne 0:43

Bruce Hrynciw, Oak Harbor maj. dec. Alex Rhine, Mechanicsburg 14-6

126:

Alex Isbrandt, Casstown Miami East dec. Noah Mattin, Archbold 6-5

Jonny Wheeler, Northwood dec. Richie Stalnaker, Newark Cath. 9-5

Caleb Brooks, Col. Bishop Ready pin Daniel Price, Sycamore Mohawk 2:39

Logan Kissell, Garrettsville Garfield pin Luke Coniker, Steubenville Cath. Cent. 1:55

132:

Kolby Rayner, Caldwell dec. Brad Trescott, Rootstown 1-0

Conan Becker, Galion Northmor dec. Michael Yacapraro, Wooster Triway 6-5

Nick Miller, Mechanicsburg dec. Kamron Paulus, W. Milton Milton-Union 7-2

Chase Sumner, Ada dec. Dylan Mansor, Oak Harbor 7-2

138:

Hugo Villerreal, Gibsonburg dec. Brandon Huffman, Rootstown 3-1

Cody Rhoads, Orwell Grand Valley dec. Henry Danishek, Day. Christian 10-5

Trevor Scherf, Oak Harbor dec. Santino Kusic, Bridgeport 6-3

Riley Smucker, Smithville maj. dec. J.D. McNett, Tontogany Otsego 9-0

145:

Derek Gross, Norwalk St. Paul maj. dec. Jonathan Junk, Zanesville W. Muskingum 12-4

Josh Tompkins, Mogadore dec. Ian Maund, Ashland Mapleton 3-2

Adam Bates, Genoa Area dec. Spencer Seibert, Coldwater 3-1

Alex Neuberger, Milan Edison dec. Anthony Renforth, N. Lima South Range 4-3

152:

Hunter Flinner, Wooster Triway dec. Hobie Howiler, Barnesville 2-0

Corey Bogan, Mechanicsburg dec. Steele Strout, Johnstown Northridge 3-1SV

Luke Buxton, New Lebanon Dixie dec. Logan Stanley, Apple Creek Waynedale 9-5

Jake Gutierrez, Spring. Cath. Central dec. Dan Stoll, Milan Edison 6-0

160:

Drake Barnett, Galion dec. Noah Baker, Bloomdale Elmwood 7-6

Chase Fetter, Sand. St. Mary C.C. dec. Hunter Watt, Zoarville Tuscarawas Val. 4-2SV

Pat Jordan, Rootstown dec. Benton Bair, Grandview Hts. 10-3

Antony Risley, Cadiz Harrison Central dec. Corey Dieringer, Versailles 6-4SV

170:

Sam Stoll, Milan Edison maj. dec. Trenton Bradbury, Albany Alexander 10-0

Teagan McFadden, Bainbridge Paint Valley pin Matt McFarland, Belmont Union Local 4:44

Jacob Thompson, N. Lewisburg Triad maj. dec. Dillon Stallsmith, Atwater Waterloo 9-1

Luke Sorboro, Rootstown pin Dawson Davis, Williamsburg 2:19

182:

Corbin Bunsold, Richwood N. Union maj. dec. Caleb Johnson, Bainbridge Paint Vall 11-1

Madison Jaso, Gibsonburg pin Brandon Magee, Covington 4:22

Daniel Beemer, Ottawa-Glandorf dec. Kian Thompson, Oak Harbor 10-4

Hudson Jump, Grandview Hts. pin Dylan Rogers, Delta 2:15

195:

Caide Bunfill, Barnesville maj. dec. Drew Lowery, Toronto 11-3

Jake Burns, W. Jefferson pin Kent Petersen, Hamler Patrick Henry 2:43

John Kelbly, Smithville dec. Dylan Thorp, Oak Harbor 5-3SV

Jeffrey Botts, Bethel-Tate dec. Jack Staggs, Milan Edison 8-3

220:

Milan Pozderac, Fredericktown pin Elijah Pryce, Cin. Purcell Marian 3:31

Collin Kelly, Mogadore dec. Zach Hackett, Brookfield 7-3

Hunter Bodkin, Martins Ferry dec. Tanner Potts, Woodsfield Monroe Cent. 6-2

Devon Richard, Delta dec. Tyler Tudor, Pemberville Eastwood 6-3

285:

Blake Sampson, Bluffton pin Jonah Ours, W. Salem Northwestern 0:29

Chance Veller, Delta pin Ben Ferguson, Casstown Miami East 2:53

Brandon Cox, Richwood N. Union pin Andrew Bevan, London Madison Plains 3:54

Jack Hagemeyer, Bloomdale Elmwood dec. Derek Smith, Defiance Tinora 7-6

Apple appeared on TV in Philadelphia, and shared the strangest questions he was asked at the NFL Combine.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Prospects at the NFL Combine are always subjected to strange questions. Sometimes from media, more often from teams.

Former Ohio State cornerback Eli Apple shared one question he received from the Atlanta Falcons while appearing on a local show on Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia.

Apple said the first question from an unnamed Falcons coach was if Apple "liked men."

Here's Apple's full response:

"The Falcons coach, one of the coaches was like, 'So do you like men?' And it was the first thing he asked me. It was weird, and I was just like, 'No.' He was like, 'Well if you're gonna come to Atlanta, you gotta know that sometimes that's how it is out here, you gotta get used to it.

"I guess he was joking. They just ask most of these questions to see how you're gonna react or if you're paying attention I guess. That was the first thing off the bat."

You can watch the video of Apple's response below.

Shortly after Apple's comments, the Falcons released this statement from head coach Dan Quinn:

"I am really disappointed in the question that was asked by one of our coaches. I have spoken to the coach that interviewed Eli Apple and explained to him how inappropriate and unprofessional this was. I have reiterated this to the entire coaching staff and I want to apologize to Eli for this even coming up. This is not what the Atlanta Falcons are about and it is not how we are going to conduct ourselves."

The NFL sent a memo to team's before the 2014 combine reminding them that questions about a player's sexual orientation are against league policy.

Beachwood junior 182-pounder Josh Bialosky is in his first trip to the OHSAA Division III state wrestling tournament. A healthy year helped him reach the semifinals Friday at Ohio State’s Schottens...

COLUMBUS, Ohio – A broken ankle set back Josh Bialosky’s sophomore wrestling season.

He hurt himself while playing football at Beachwood. As a result, his work on the mats was limited.

Bialosky is now a healthy 182-pound junior making his first appearance at the OHSAA Division III state wrestling tournament. He built on it Friday morning by advancing to the semifinals held later in the day at Ohio State’s Schottenstein Center.

“I only had a month of the season,” Bialosky said. “This year, I’ve been in the room every single day since football ended. Got some new coaches up there with me, and it’s been great.”

Bialosky scored a 9-3 decision against Grandview Heights’ Hudson Jump. With the win, Bialosky advanced to face Pymatuning Valley’s Gaige Willis later in the day. The winner of that match will face Lutheran West’s James Handwerk or Apple Creek Waynedale’s Tristan Anderson.

Handwerk, the defending state champion at 170, won his 182-pound quarterfinal via 16-4 major decision against Paint Valley’s Caleb Johnson.

The semifinals are scheduled to begin 6:30 p.m. Friday.

In his first time at D-III state championships, Beachwood 182-pounder Josh Bialosky advances to semifinals. pic.twitter.com/j0cvl8cq13

— Matt Goul (@mgoul) March 4, 2016

How they stand

Delta leads the team standings with 65 points and owns a sizeable lead on second-place Mechanicsburg (45.5) and Dayton Christian (43).

Mogadore is 10th as the highest placed Northeast Ohio school. The Wildcats have 21 points, thanks to the performances of 195-pounder Paul Skye and others. Skye is in the championship quarterfinals, while Josh Tompkins (145) and Collin Kelly (220) won their second-round consolation matches.

Match of the day

A stalling call in overtime awarded the necessary point to Manchester senior Jerek Cropper, advancing him with a 3-2 win vs. Delta’s Devon Richard. Cropper is in a familiar spot. He reached last year’s state semifinals and faces Carlisle junior Reece Human in this year’s 220-pound semifinals.

Cropper placed fourth last year at the same weight.

Who stood out

Seth Hayes, Rootstown (120): A fifth-place grappler here as a junior, Hayes’ 9-4 decision against Mechanicsburg’s Alex Rhine means he doesn’t have to wrestle back into contention. Semifinalists finish no worse than sixth.

Joey Bowen, Manchester (126): The three time state placer’s 2-0 win against Columbus Bishop Ready moves him to the semifinals against George Clemens of Haviland Wayne Trace. Clemens prevented an all-Northeast Ohio semifinal with his quarterfinal win against Garrettsville Garfield’s Logan Kissel.

Stan Bleich, Elyria Catholic (132): Up one weight class, Bleich is back in the semifinals after an 8-5 win vs. Oak Harbor’s Dylan Mansor. An all-junior semifinal awaits him with Edison’s Brady Barnett.

Paul Skye, Mogadore (195): The sophomore pinned Edison senior Jack Staggs in 3 minutes, 2 seconds. Skye advances to face another sophomore in Martins Ferry’s Dalton Hoover.

Will Bolanz, Waterloo (195): If Bolanz gets by Amanda-Clearcreek senior Jordan Leasure, he could be matched up with Skye in the finals. Like Skye, Bolanz advanced with a pin. His came in 3:17 against Barnesville’s Caide Bunfill.

Semifinals to watch

Hayes vs. Drew Mattin, Delta (120): Mattin is up from 106 pounds, where he won a state championship last year.

Bleich vs. Brady Barnett, Edison (132): While Bleich reached last year’s semifinals at 126 and finished sixth, Barnett is looking to return to the finals at 132. The Edison wrestler lost in last year’s title match and will place for a third straight year.

Bialosky vs. Gaige Willis, Pymatuning Valley (182): Bialosky is here for the first time. Willis finished eighth last year at 170.

Handwerk vs. Tristan Anderson, Waynedale (182): Anderson is down from 195, where he finished seventh last year and fourth in 2014. The defending champ at 170, Handwerk will make a tall task in improving off those performances.

Last year's D-III state champ at 170, Lutheran West's James Handwerk moves on to 182 semifinals. pic.twitter.com/AjsaOEKCUd

— Matt Goul (@mgoul) March 4, 2016

Cropper vs. Reece Human, Carlisle (220): Both placed last year. Cropper was fourth, while Human finished fifth. They did not meet in last year’s tourney.

Contact sports reporter Matt Goul on Twitter (@mgoul) or email (mgoul@cleveland.com). Or log in and leave a message below in the comments section.

DMan talked all things Cleveland sports in our latest podcast.

(To have this podcast delivered straight to your mobile phone or device, subscribe to our iTunes channel.)

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- What impact will all the external chatter about the Cavaliers have on them? Which Browns free agents are the highest priority?

Dennis Manoloff discussed all of that with host Dan Labbe on Friday.

Among the other topics discussed:

The fifth spot in the Indians rotation.

The Indians leadoff spot.

The Cavaliers blocking out the noise once the playoffs start.

Keeping the Browns offensive line together.

You can download the MP3 or listen with the player above.

Be sure to follow DMan on Twitter.

CVCA freshman wrestler Jordan Decatur has become his brother Jacob's biggest supporter as Jacob moves closer to a state final match.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — CVCA freshman wrestler Jordan Decatur watched from the mat, video camera in his hands, as his twin brother, Jacob, clinched a podium spot in his first appearance in the 2016 OHSAA Division II state wrestling tournament on Friday.

Jacob Decatur (106 pounds) won his quarterfinal match against Napoleon's Charley Bohls by major decision, 13-5. He will face Carrollton's Ben Pasiuk in the semifinals with a chance to advance to Saturday's championship match.

Jordan watches matside because he was disqualified from his sectional tournament because he did not make weight. He said he was 0.3 pounds overweight, but left the weigh-in room to go run in an effort to make weight, which he did on the second weigh-in. But he violated an OHSAA rule because of it and he was disqualified.

Intermat analyst Josh Lowe had picked Jordan as the favorite to win a state title at 113.

"It was hard at first. I was devastated," Jordan Decatur said. "But after a while, my coaches, my parents, a lot of teachers and friends, they were able to comfort me and just show me it's a bigger picture than just winning state titles. That it's more than just wrestling."

Jacob, who won the Alliance District title at 106, said that throughout the postseason, Jordan has been there to give him advice and motivation.

"He's the one always in my ear, always in my corner. He's telling me what to do," Jacob Decatur said. "We're drill partners sometimes and he motivates me so much. I'd do anything for him.

"I feel a little bit of pressure, but it's only from him because I know he wants the best from me. We want the same thing for each other."

With his brother one win away from competing in his first state championship match, Jordan will be there front and center to see his brother try and get atop the podium this weekend.

"I'm there every single match, front row, watching him, cheering him along," Jordan Decatur said. "He might not like when I yell or when I critique him. That's just how I am. I'm always in his ear giving him things to do for on the mat and off the mat."

Here are some of the Browns options if Mitchell Schwartz leaves in free agency. Watch video

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Mitchell Schwartz is a domino that the Browns can't let fall. Head coach Hue Jackson placed a high importance on the center position during an interview on Thursday night, but don't lose sight on the importance of the position Schwartz plays, right tackle. 

Schwartz is actually just the type of player that a team dreams of having longterm. He's young -- he'll turn 27 in June -- he stays healthy and he does his job and does it well. Remember when Cameron Erving looked competent at times when he was asked to play right guard in place of John Greco? A lot of that had to do with the Browns using Schwartz to help the often-overwhelmed rookie.  

No matter your feelings on Pro Football Focus ratings, you can't discard the fact that Schwartz was rated the sixth best tackle -- not just right tackle, but tackle -- in the league by the website in 2015. He is the top-rated unrestricted free agent at the position. Schwartz is very good and Schwartz is going to get paid a lot of money. 

There's a temptation to point at the Browns winning three games and say none of their free agents are worth a lot of money. The offensive line, though, settled in as the season went along. Don't forget that they were adjusting to a new offensive coordinator and scheme yet again, too. That unrest caused some problems, especially early. They were also protecting one quarterback who had a tendency to hold the ball too long in Josh McCown and another that bailed on clean pockets and scrambled into sacks in Johnny Manziel. 

What happens if the Browns lose Schwartz? I think it would be a mistake, but here are some possibilities: 

Internal options: The Browns don't have any real options to move over to right tackle if Schwartz leaves. They'll need to find his replacement in free agency or the draft. 

Top free agent tackles

Free agency: Andre Smith of the Bengals is a free agent. Hue Jackson could call up his old right tackle if he needs one. Byron Bell of Tennessee is also a free agent. Joe Barksdale of San Diego is still relatively young. 

There are some left tackles on the market, but it's hard to imagine any established left tackle won't want to move to the right side without a strong overpay. Oakland's Donald Penn is one of them but on the wrong side of 30. Baltimore's Kelechi Osemele is an interesting option, though he might be better at guard than tackle.  

Draft: Ohio State's Taylor Decker will probably be gone before Day 2. Same with Michigan State's Jack Conklin.  

Indiana's Jason Spriggs or Texas A&M's Germain Ifedi could be available on Friday as could Texas Tech's Le'Raven Clark, though he's coming from a gimmicky offense and might end up at guard. Stanford's Kyle Murphy could be a Saturday option.

Previously:

• How the Browns could replace Alex Mack
• How the Browns could replace Travis Benjamin

St. Edward pulled away in the quarterfinals to take a commanding lead in the team race.

COLUMBUS, Ohio – St. Edward took a big leap toward its 30^th Division I OHSAA state wrestling tournament team title Friday by qualifying eight wrestlers for the semifinals.

The Eagles top the leaderboard with 79 points, 33 ahead of second-place Elyria.

Bryce Andonian (106), Matt Kazimir (113), Allan Hart (120), Hunter Ladnier (138), Jack Conway (152), Michael Carpenter (160), Tony Stepic (182) and Jared Campbell (220) are a step from Saturday’s finals. With Sam Dover (132) alive in the consolations, nine Eagles will reach the podium Saturday. 

Hart, last season’s state champ at 113, faces two-time state runner-up and 2014 state champ Alex Mackall of Walsh Jesuit in his semifinal. Carpenter will wrestle Powell Olentangy Liberty’s Kyle Lawson, who won two Division II state titles with St. Paris Graham before transferring.

How they stand

While St. Edward seems on its way to a second straight team title after going 8-2 inn the quarterfinals, the race for second place has turned into a three-team race. Elyria (46 points), Olentangy Liberty (42) and Brecksville (37.5) all have three semifinalists and five wrestlers placing overall.

Five Elyria semifinalists include Brendon Fenton (113), Ben Darmstadt (195) and Kevin Vough (285). Brecksville's trio is Gabriel Tagg (106), Austin Hiles (152) and Eddie Sternad (220).   

Central Crossing (34 points) is still in the mix with four placers, all in the semifinals.

Match of the day

This actually might be confusion of the day. Olmsted Falls’ Patrick Simon headed to overtime in his 285-pound quarterfinal against Sprinboro’s Jonathan Floyd, tied at 7. After Floyd got what seemed to be a match-deciding takedown, officials realized Simon was awarded one penalty point instead of two earlier in the match.

“Afterward, they realized they were wrestling bad time and the match was over,” said Olmsted Falls coach Bryce Burkhard.

Simon won 8-7 and moves to the semifinals against 45-0 Kameron Teacher of Central Crossing. That’s quite an accomplishment for a wrestler who was a district alternate two weeks ago.

“I’m thinking I should’ve even be here,” said Simon. “I have to prove myself.”

Who stood out

Farouq Muhammed, Shaker Heights (145): Muhammed, a freshman, won a 2-0 quarterfinal decision against Copley’s Anwton Pugh thanks to a second-period reversal. It was the second tense match for Muhammed, who won his opener 9-8. His semifinal opponent is Dominick Demas of Dublin Coffman, last year’s 138-pound state champ.

Matt Fields, Walsh Jesuit (113): The sophomore reached the semifinals with a 6-5 decision against returning state champion Caleb Yates of Whitehouse Anthony Wayne. He faces Kazimir in the semifinals.

Alex Mackall, Walsh Jesuit (126): The two-time state finalists and 2014 state champ was dominant in a 12-1 major decision against Brunswick state placer Garrett Lambert. It avenged a 3-2 loss to Lambert at the Walsh Jesuit Ironman in December. Mackall has outscored opponents 27-1 through two matches.

Josh Heil, Brunswick (138): Heil became a four-time state placer with his 5-2 quarterfinal decision against Brecksville two-time state placer Justin DeMicco. Assured of no worse than sixth, Heil will face Perrysburg two-time state placer Moises Guillen in the semifinals.

Brendan Price, Elyria (170): The Perrysburg District champion left the arena on a stretcher after suffering a leg injury in the first period of his match with Pickerington Central’s Joseph Terry. Price lost by injury default.

Other semifinals to watch

Gabriel Tagg, Brecksville vs. Brakan Mead, Olentangy Libety (106): Taff, a freshman, faces last second’s state runner-up at 106.

Nick Kiussis, Brunswick vs. Greg Brusco, Delawayre Haytes (152): Kiussis is a two-time state runner-up, and Brusco is a two-time fourth-place finisher.

Conway vs. Austin Hiles, Brecksville (152): Conway was third at 145 last season and Hiles was third at 152.

Stepic vs. Kaden Russell, St. Ignatius (170): The rivalry between the Eagles and Wildcats visits Columbus. Stepic and Russell are first-time state qualifiers.

Kevin Vough, Elyria vs. Nik Urban, Willoughby South (285): Vough is defending state champ, Urban was sixth last season.

For more high school sports news, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. 

Contact sports reporter Scott Patsko on Twitter (@ScottPatsko) by email (spatsko@cleveland.com) or log in and leave a message in the comments section below.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Here are the full results after the Division II quarterfinal round and consolation second round of the 2016 OHSAA State Wrestling Tournament. How they stand (Top 10): 1. St. Paris Graham 100.5, 2. Lake Catholic, 43.5, 3. Canfield 37, 4. Steubenville 35, 5. Uhrichsville Claymont 30.5, 6. Wauseon 30, 7. Toledo Central Catholic 27, 8. Carrollton...

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Here are the full results after the Division II quarterfinal round and consolation second round of the 2016 OHSAA State Wrestling Tournament.

How they stand (Top 10): 1. St. Paris Graham 100.5, 2. Lake Catholic, 43.5, 3. Canfield 37, 4. Steubenville 35, 5. Uhrichsville Claymont 30.5, 6. Wauseon 30, 7. Toledo Central Catholic 27, 8. Carrollton 25.5, 9. Sandusky 23, 10. Ashland 22.

Championship Quarterfinals

106:
Conor McCrone, Mentor Lake Cath. dec. Jordan Crace, St. Paris Graham Local 7-6
Josh Venia, Tol. Central Cath. maj. dec. Tim Young, Steubenville 10-2
Jacob Decatur, Cuy. Falls CVCA maj. dec. Charley Bohls, Napoleon 13-5
Ben Pasiuk, Carrollton pin Jake Bartinelli, Medina Buckeye 1:26
113:
Jeffrey Thomas, St. Paris Graham Local dec. Eric Bartos, Medina Buckeye 3-1
Lukus Stricker, Akron Arch. Hoban maj. dec. Jacob Johnson, Plain City Jonathan A 8-0
Ana Abduljelil, Whitehall-Yearling dec. Jake Ondash, Mantua Crestwood 6-2
Nate Keaton, Circleville dec. Hunter Ryan, Mentor Lake Cath. 4-2
120:
Tony DeCesare, Parma Padua Franciscan dec. Hunter Kosco, Canal Fulton Northwest 3-2TB
Justin Stickley, St. Paris Graham Local maj. dec. Addison Fogle, Newark Licking  9-0
Tyler Warner, Uhrichsville Claymont tech. fall Dante Ginnetti, Poland Seminary 17-1
Seth Beard, Napoleon maj. dec. Matthew Cardello, Cuy. Falls CVCA 9-0
126:
Tariq Wilson, Steubenville maj. dec. Charlie Nash, Norwalk 14-4
Rosendo Beltran, Tol. Central Cath. pin Justin Shaw, Carrollton 6:59SV
Tra Jones, Sandusky dec. Chandler Golec, Uhrichsville Claymont 4-3
Mitch Moore, St. Paris Graham Local pin Hunter DeShon, Akron Coventry 3:30
132:
Collin Adkins, Bellevue dec. Ryan Thomas, St. Paris Graham Local 9-8TB
Lane Peters, Uhrichsville Claymont dec. Cory Simpson, Mogadore Field 5-0
Hunter Bray, Franklin dec. Jashon Hubbard, Steubenville 6-1SV
Kevon Freeman, Mentor Lake Cath. dec. LeConte Merrell, Mansfield Mad. Comp. 7-0
138:
Brent Moore, St. Paris Graham Local dec. Miles Mazik, Wintersville Indian Creek 11-4
Tyler Copeland, Wapakoneta dec. Luke McKeon, Mentor Lake Cath. 12-8
C.J. Frost, Canfield dec. Greg Briggs, Lodi Cloverleaf 6-3
Jake Martinez, Newark Licking Valley maj. dec. Thurston Dyer, Upper Sandusky 8-0
145:
Timothy Gage Grunden, Defiance maj. dec. Dakotah Goff, Steubenville 10-2
Rocky Jordan, St. Paris Graham Local tech. fall Sid Ohl, Ashland 17-1
Sandro Ramirez, Wauseon dec. Jason Keyes, Lisbon Beaver 5-0
Joe Boley, Mentor Lake Cath. dec. Jake Henderson, Mt. Orab Western Brown 6-5
152:
Seth Boggs, Sandusky Perkins pin Davey Tunon, Clarksville Clinton-Massie 5:37
Georgio Poullas, Canfield maj. dec. Vince Zitiello, Bay Village Bay 13-3
Luciano Mendicino, Granville dec. Joey Sanchez, St. Paris Graham Local 3-1TB
Richard Jackson, Tol. Central Cath. dec. Michael McIntire, Akron St. Vin.-St. Ma 7-6
160:
Ashton Eyler, Uhrichsville Claymont maj. dec. Tyler Young, Hamilton Ross 15-3
Eric Fasnacht, Parma Padua Franciscan dec. David Heath, Akron St. Vin.-St. Mary 7-1
Garrett Jordan, St. Paris Graham Local dec. Keysean Amison, Sandusky Perkins 1-0
David Crawford, Canfield pin Noah Clary, Upper Sandusky 3:55
170:
Ben Knaus, Akron St. Vin.-St. Mary tech. fall Tre Terry, Lima Bath 16-0
Aidan Pasiuk, Carrollton pin Braden Neuberger, Norwalk 2:53
Alex Marinelli, St. Paris Graham Local pin Anthony Moran, Newark Licking Valley 0:29
Shawn Livingston, Steubenville dec. Alex Andrews, Napoleon 5-0
182:
Robbie Bowers, Defiance dec. Gage Braun, St. Paris Graham Local 4-0
John Szep, Mentor Lake Cath. dec. Stone Day, Germantown Valley View 6-5
Tyler Wiederholt, Bellbrook dec. Dalton Cox, Canal Fulton Northwest 5-1
Tre Campbell, Wauseon tech. fall Baden Pinson, Reading 19-1
195:
Chris Cook, Akron Coventry dec. Zach Baker, Marengo Highland 8-4
Jack Harris, Urbana dec. Landon Hall, Wapakoneta 7-1
Tony Banister, Wauseon dec. Kavan Sarver, St. Paris Graham Local 2-1TB
Joe Fornaro, Chesterland W. Geauga maj. dec. Jacob Altman, Mt. Orab Western Brow 14-5
220:
Nick Svarda, Middletown Madison dec. Jacob Esarco, Canfield 3-2
Tristen Weirich, Ashland dec. Brody Robinson, Carrollton 7-3
Garit Witt, Clyde dec. Ben Higgins, Alliance Marlington 7-2
Johnny Shafer, St. Paris Graham Local dec. Jared Croswell, Col. Bishop Hartley 3-2
285:
Jamez Young, Sandusky dec. Logan Ferrell, Tipp City Tippecanoe 10-5
Mitch Bischoff, Norton pin Michael Furbee, St. Clairsville 4:28
Matt Adams, New Lexington dec. Ian Sharp, Beloit W. Branch 2-1
Jared Hoy, Bellevue pin Wes Cochran, Delaware Buckeye Valley 2:49

Consolation Round Two

106:
Dalton Burcher, Gnadenhutten Indian Va. dec. Jake Bartinelli, Medina Buckeye 3-0
Dominic Carone, Streetsboro dec. Charley Bohls, Napoleon 5-4
Tim Young, Steubenville maj. dec. Thane Kaufman, Millersburg W. Holmes 12-4
Jordan Crace, St. Paris Graham Local maj. dec. Edward Suber, Tallmadge 9-0
113:
Hunter Ryan, Mentor Lake Cath. dec. Joe Wright, Akron Coventry 9-4
Jake Gentry, Hamilton Ross dec. Jake Ondash, Mantua Crestwood 3-2
Matt Asher, Clarksville Clinton-Massie pin Jacob Johnson, Plain City Jonathan Al 0:31
Eric Bartos, Medina Buckeye dec. Caden Blust, Tiffin Columbian 8-1
120:
Matthew Cardello, Cuy. Falls CVCA pin Sammy Southers, Minerva 4:01
Matthew Taylor, Ashland pin Dante Ginnetti, Poland Seminary 2:09
Nick Berry, Day. Carroll dec. Addison Fogle, Newark Licking Valley 3-2
Hunter Kosco, Canal Fulton Northwest dec. Jordan Hamblin, Mt. Orab Western Brown 6-5
126:
Hunter DeShon, Akron Coventry dec. Mitchell Skleres, Mentor Lake Cath. 8-2
Chandler Golec, Uhrichsville Claymont pin Tayler Steele, Waynesville 2:44
Errik Gerback, Alliance Marlington dec. Justin Shaw, Carrollton 5-3
Charlie Nash, Norwalk dec. Tyliq Stewart, Whitehall-Yearling 5-0
132:
LeConte Merrell, Mansfield Mad. Comp. pin Eli Yoho, Peninsula Woodridge 1:25
Jashon Hubbard, Steubenville dec. Angel Granados, Napoleon 6-2
Cory Simpson, Mogadore Field dec. Parkar Utley, Alliance 5-2
Ryan Thomas, St. Paris Graham Local pin Beau Smith, Lisbon Beaver 1:21
138:
Thurston Dyer, Upper Sandusky dec. Taylor Komives, Ontario 3-1SV
Greg Briggs, Lodi Cloverleaf dec. Hayden Bullard, Johnstown-Monroe 8-6
Alex Kowal, Mid. Bishop Fenwick dec. Luke McKeon, Mentor Lake Cath. 4-3
Miles Mazik, Wintersville Indian Creek over Justin Mason, Conneaut default
145:
Jake Henderson, Mt. Orab Western Brown dec. Brennan Joseph, Alliance Marlington 5-4
Dave Esarco, Poland Seminary dec. Jason Keyes, Lisbon Beaver 4-2
Sid Ohl, Ashland pin Mac Altom, Eaton 3:27
Dakotah Goff, Steubenville dec. Kevin Beal, Lancaster Fairfield Union 3-0
152:
Michael McIntire, Akron St. Vin.-St. Mary dec. Justice Avery, Uhrichsville Claym 7-5
Joey Sanchez, St. Paris Graham Local dec. Jarrett Munyan, Thornville Sheridan 5-1
Vince Zitiello, Bay Village Bay maj. dec. Kohle Clellan, Defiance 11-1
Davey Tunon, Clarksville Clinton-Massie dec. Jack Peura, Tipp City Tippecanoe 9-2
160:
Kyle Myers, Canal Fulton Northwest dec. Noah Clary, Upper Sandusky 8-2
Keysean Amison, Sandusky Perkins dec. Michael Jude, Lancaster Fairfield Union 6-3
Kade Byland, Salem dec. David Heath, Akron St. Vin.-St. Mary 4-2SV
Tyler Young, Hamilton Ross dec. Ethan Fout, Newark Licking Valley 3-1SV
170:
Micah Linton, Circleville Logan Elm dec. Alex Andrews, Napoleon 4-1
Anthony Moran, Newark Licking Valley dec. Chase Sayers, Hamilton Ross 5-2
Braden Neuberger, Norwalk dec. John Miller, Perry 5-2
Isaiah Watson-Kirksey, Alliance maj. dec. Tre Terry, Lima Bath 9-1
182:
Dominic Cooper, Canfield dec. Baden Pinson, Reading 8-6
Shykel Jones, Sandusky over Dalton Cox, Canal Fulton Northwest disq.
Stone Day, Germantown Valley View dec. Justin Reynolds, Gallipolis Gallia Acad. 9-5
Gage Braun, St. Paris Graham Local dec. Evan Schenk, Perry 1-0
195:
Abdullah Silmi, Norwalk pin Jacob Altman, Mt. Orab Western Brown 2:37
Kavan Sarver, St. Paris Graham Local maj. dec. Justin Sanders, Mentor Lake Cath. 11-3
Landon Hall, Wapakoneta dec. Tim Albertson, Steubenville 9-5
Ben Ocheltree, LaGrange Keystone dec. Zach Baker, Marengo Highland 7-5
220:
Jalen Gowdy, Sandusky pin Jared Croswell, Col. Bishop Hartley 3:27
Ben Higgins, Alliance Marlington dec. Steven Major, Lewistown Indian Lake 4-1
Karston Chasteen, Hamilton Ross pin Brody Robinson, Carrollton 1:59
Jacob Escaro, Canfield maj. dec. Brandon Phillips, Maumee 13-4
285:
Wes Cochran, Delaware Buckeye Valley dec. Mason Giordano, Canfield 2-1TB
Sean Williams, Mansfield Mad. Comp dec. Ian Sharp, Beloit W. Branch 7-2
Michael Furbee, St. Clairsville dec. Collin Shirley, Rocky River 2-1
Logan Ferrell, Tipp City Tippecanoe pin Colvin Turner, Franklin 1:57

Staying true to their plan of resting players down the stretch, the Cleveland Cavaliers will sit starting power forward Kevin Love during Friday night's game against the Washington Wizards.

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio -- Staying true to their plan of resting players down the stretch, the Cleveland Cavaliers will sit starting power forward Kevin Love during Friday night's game against the Washington Wizards. 

While it's Cleveland's first game since Monday's 100-96 win against the Indiana Pacers, following two days off this week, the contest against Washington is also the first of three games in a four-day stretch, beginning a tough March schedule. Cleveland hosts Boston on Saturday and Memphis on Monday.

"I think going forward we're going to rest a lot of our guys," head coach Tyronn Lue admitted on Feb. 29. "Kyrie (Irving), when we get a chance, Kevin, when we get a chance, J.R. (Smith) when we get a chance."

Love is averaging 15.9 points and 10.1 rebounds in 32.2 minutes per game. 

The 6-foot-10 forward will miss his second game this season. He was held out of the Cavs' Feb. 6 matchup against New Orleans with a bruised left thigh. 

It's the second straight game the Cavs will be without one of their starters against the Wizards, who are inching closer to the eighth spot in the Eastern Conference. James rested during Sunday's 113-99 loss. 

While there's much focus on the No. 2 overall pick, there's plenty of intrigue and options about what the club should do with the No. 32 overall choice. Watch video

HOWLAND, Ohio - Browns fans are focused on what the club will do with the No. 2 overall pick in the NFL draft.

Debate rages around two central questions. Should they take a quarterback that high in a class lacking a sure thing at the position? And, if the answer is yes, which one do the Browns select?

It's pretty standard stuff.

What they do with their second pick, No. 32 overall, is also quite intriguing. Although technically in the second round, it's like an additional first rounder because the Patriots lost their choice over Deflategate.

The Browns will have ample time to formulate their strategy after the first round. The No. 32 pick will be the first one on the draft's second day (April 29) and you can bet some teams will call the Browns about trading for it - presuming Cleveland doesn't trade up.

The franchise could go lots of different directions - edge rusher, wide receiver, offensive tackle, safety - depending on need and what transpires in free agency, which begins March 9. Each week Cleveland.com will spotlight one potential candidate as we wend our way toward the draft.

Searching For 32 debuts on Monday.

Get live updates, pictures and videos Saturday from the 2016 OHSAA state wrestling tournament.

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Get live updates, pictures and videos Saturday from the 2016 OHSAA state wrestling tournament right here in this post.

Reporters Scott Patsko and Tim Bielik are at Value City Arena covering the event and will be providing live coverage in the window below, as well as updates from teams throughout Northeast Ohio.

Saturday’s state wrestling action gets underway at 10 a.m.

Check out links to complete coverage from Friday’s semifinal round, including top storylines, photo galleries, videos and division-by-division results.

Tweets from https://twitter.com/NEOvarsity/lists/state-wrestling

For more high school sports news, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. 

The Washington Wizards were on the bad end of an experiment the Cleveland Cavaliers used on Friday night: Small-ball worked.

CLEVELAND, Ohio. - The Washington Wizards were on the bad end of an experiment the Cleveland Cavaliers used on Friday night.

Small-ball works, as the Cavaliers trounced the Wizards in an easy 108-83 win at Quicken Loans Arena. I'm told Kevin Love is battling some nagging injuries, and the Cavaliers decided to rest him.

So the team did some tinkering and the results turned out to be spectacular.

"I thought it was great for us," head coach Tyronn Lue said. "I thought the guys bought into playing that way, that style of basketball. LeBron [James] did a great job of sprinting the floor, running, setting picks. And then at the four (power forward), when he gets the rebound and takes it off the glass, it's tough for teams to get back. I thought we were able to fly around defensively, switch some things and make them play one-on-one basketball. It was good for us."

Iman Shumpert was inserted with the starters for the first time this season, and you could tell right away that the intensity level on the defensive end was elevated. Those pick-and-rolls every NBA team calls about 80 percent of the time were ineffective against the Cavaliers.

They just switched who they were guarding. That's the luxury. Washington was thrown off. The Wizards couldn't exploit a weakness because there wasn't any. James was picking off passes from the four-spot due to the intense pressure up top.

He's now able to see the entire floor from the backside, which could lead to more steals from the interior. The pace wasn't necessarily ramped up, but they became a scary defensive bunch overnight.

"I think it's just hard when you're on the offensive side of that," Shumpert said of the small-ball lineup. "If you set a ball screen, we can easily switch it. If you set a back screen, we can switch it. The intensity just stays up the whole time. There's no real way to get a mismatch. I think that's the advantage."

When Love returns for Saturday's game against the Boston Celtics, Lue is expected to return to his conventional lineup with Love and Timofey Mozgov at the four and five spots, respectively. But this new miniature wrinkle will be incorporated throughout the games from here on out with the talents of Love at center.

This latest adjustment is all about preparing for the postseason when teams really go small, similar to what Golden State did in Game 4 of The NBA Finals, changing the trajectory of that series.

Establishing a lineup that can not only compete with other small lineups, but also dominate at times is what this team is searching for at this point of the season.

"It's extremely important for us, especially gearing up for these playoffs," Shumpert said of finding a small-ball rhythm. "We've got to be able to match anything. We've got to be able to get our advantage however we can get it. Having that advantage over a lot of different lineups is definitely going to help us."

Gone are the days of traditional four-men. Perimeter players are increasingly being assigned to the low post. James should now be able and willing to play at that spot for longer stretches since he won't have to take such a pounding from night-to-night.

It was only one game, but their small lineup worked flawlessly. All season, the team talked about their depth and the different ways they could play, but we rarely witnessed that on the court.

What took so long? Nobody knows, but they seem to be breaking it out at the right time.

"I think it makes us a lot more lethal," Lue said. "And with the team we have constructed, we can play big and we can play small. We just have to start trying to do a lot more."

These two teams don't like each other and it will all come to a head tonight when the Cleveland Cavaliers (43-17) host the Boston Celtics (38-25).

CLEVELAND, Ohio. - These two teams don't like each other, and it will all come to a head tonight when the Cleveland Cavaliers (43-17) host the Boston Celtics (38-25).

Boston is in third place in the Eastern Conference standings behind Cleveland and Toronto and is riding a conference-high five-game winning streak. This is the last game between these teams in the regular season.

Tipoff: 7 p.m. at Quicken Loans Arena.

TV/radio: FOX Sports Ohio; WTAM 1100, 87.7 La Mega.

Last game: Cavaliers played a small-ball lineup and crushed the Wizards 108-83 on Friday.

Cavaliers' probable starting lineup: 6-3 Kyrie Irving (19.1 ppg, 4.5 apg), 6-6 J.R. Smith (12.5 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 41% 3-pt range), 6-8 LeBron James (24.8 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 6.6 apg), 6-10 Kevin Love (15.9 ppg, 10.1 rpg) and 7-2 Timofey Mozgov (6.5 ppg, 4.5 rpg).

Celtics' probable starting lineup: 5-7 Isaiah Thomas (21.7 ppg,, 6.7 apg), 6-4 Avery Bradley (15.2 ppg, 2.6 rpg), 6-7 Jae Crowder(14.6 ppg, 5.2 rpg), 6-10 Amir Johnson (7.2 ppg, 6.2 rpg) and 6-10 Jared Sullinger(10.2 ppg, 8.7 rpg).

Season series: Tied, 1-1.

Injuries for Cleveland: Mo Williams (knee) is out.

Injuries for Boston: Kelly Olynyk (shoulder) and James Young (calf) are out.

Cavaliers' next opponent: The final game of this four-game homestand concludes Monday against the Memphis Grizzlies. It's a 7 p.m. game on FOX Sports Ohio. Cleveland dismantled Memphis 106-76 in the second game of the season.

The Eagles have won 32 team state titles overall, a number that includes two state dual championships.

COLUMBUS, Ohio – St. Edward clinched its 30^th OHSAA Division I state wrestling tournament team title during Saturday’s final round of consolation matches. 

Matt Kazimir’s ultimate tiebreaker win against Willoughby South’s Spencer Dusi in their 113-pound match provided the needed team points.

Elyria, state runner-up to the Eagles last season, began Saturday in second place, followed by Powell Olentangy Liberty.

It’s the 32^nd state championship for the Eagles overall. They’ve also won two state dual tournament titles, including this season’s.

The Eagles have three wrestlers in Saturday’s state finals – Bryce Andonian (106), Hunter Ladnier (138) and Jared Campbell (220).  They had 11 wrestlers qualify for the state tournament, and nine will finish in the top six.

For more high school sports news, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. 

Contact sports reporter Scott Patsko on Twitter (@ScottPatsko) by email (spatsko@cleveland.com) or log in and leave a message in the comments section below.